Duluth, MN – Winter tightens its grip on the Northland this week as a Winter Storm Watch goes into effect Tuesday afternoon through late Tuesday night for northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including Duluth, Brainerd, Ashland, and Hayward. The National Weather Service in Duluth warns of 3–5 inches of snow, with snowfall rates up to one inch per hour possible Tuesday evening.
The first flakes are expected to arrive by early Tuesday afternoon, quickly spreading east along the Highway 2 and I-35 corridors. Snow will intensify through the evening, potentially impacting commuters between Grand Rapids, Cloquet, and Superior, as temperatures hover near the freezing mark.
Roads will become slick and snow-covered fast, and visibility could fall sharply during the heaviest bursts of snow. The combination of steady accumulation and blustery winds near Lake Superior may cause patchy blowing snow, especially across open stretches and elevated areas.
Snow will taper late Tuesday night into early Wednesday, leaving behind a fresh coating ahead of a colder, calmer midweek. However, lingering refreeze will make untreated surfaces icy through Wednesday morning.
Looking ahead, forecasters are tracking another potential clipper system later in the week, which could bring light snow and gusty winds into the weekend as Arctic air deepens over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes between Dec. 11–17.
